My Saginaw Power Steering Swap (1 Viewer)

[fj40_73]

While refreshing my power steering box and depleting all the Cardone Remans in my area that were to be 4.25 turn boxes but were all 3.5s. I found new remakes here. I put this on my fj40 and am happy so far.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1964-1973-GM-800-Power-Steering-Box-13-16-Inch-36-Spline-Input,487210.html

These speedway boxes are junk!

Inner spindle shattered while driving to the beach and back.. on pavement. It never operated smoothly even out of the box. I opened it up.. quality and tolerance is all over the board.. It reminds me of the videos I see on youtube, where 3rd world guys are making molds in the sand,, and melting down scrap to pour into the sand casting... ugggg. Looking at the lee power steering site, they seem to be one of the only ones that have options for spindles, Torsion Rod... etc....

 

[Hugh Heifer]

I got my box at Rockauto.

 

[fj40_73]

I got my box at Rockauto.

link to the box u got?

 

[fj40_73]

link to the box u got?

here's the link i am looking at.. I'd be happy to document the process if i go this route. Saginaw 800 Steering Gearbox 3 Bolt 16:1 Ratio For GM Classic Cars - https://leepowersteering.com/products/saginaw-800-gearbox-16-gm-classic-cars?variant=7879674462269. honestly it will cost less then all the other options I've tired atm. I use to be able to pick these up for $25 bucks at pick a parts yards...

 

[Hugh Heifer]

link to the box u got?

It was a Jeep J10 box (1960's or early 70's vintage iirc). I can dig back through ny receipts.

 

[knuckle47]

My only complaint on my Saginaw conversion is the “1 finger “ steering. I like that’s it is SO easy to turn but at 50-60 mph it just feels too light. The nice thing about Lee is that they will set the weight of the steering for you within limits. My Chevy pickup had the most ideal “weight” I have ever drive …and that’s over 57 years and a ship load of vehicles.

I was looking at this new gearbox last night and I am calling them tomorrow about these “adjustments “ to see if they can shed some better light on my thinking. Did you read their page on steering weight?

 

[Hugh Heifer]

link to the box u got?

Sorry, J20 box.

 

[fj40_73]

Sorry, J20 box.
View attachment 3734060

thank you

 

[fj40_73]

My only complaint on my Saginaw conversion is the “1 finger “ steering. I like that’s it is SO easy to turn but at 50-60 mph it just feels too light. The nice thing about Lee is that they will set the weight of the steering for you within limits. My Chevy pickup had the most ideal “weight” I have ever drive …and that’s over 57 years and a ship load of vehicles.

I was looking at this new gearbox last night and I am calling them tomorrow about these “adjustments “ to see if they can shed some better light on my thinking. Did you read their page on steering weight?

same.. I was looking at the 16:1 gear ration with #35... I want to drive on the freeway to offroad and be able to enjoy it a bit more relaxed.

 

[fj40_73]

lee hooked it up quick!

Lee Power Steering 16:1 35#

Picking up from an old thread: My Saginaw Power Steering Swap - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/my-saginaw-power-steering-swap.273969/page-6 Ordered all this custom stuff Sunday Sept 29 2024.. and it was at my door Friday Oct 4, 2024.. amazing. Unit was Stamped with build date of Oct 1, 2024...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Hugh Heifer]

I ran a J20 box with 35s everywhere and on the highway for several years. It was my second best mod after front discs on my '73 40. I got it on ebay for about $70. Those were the days.

 

[Vandal FJ]

I ran a J20 box with 35s everywhere and on the highway for several years. It was my second best mod after front discs on my '73 40. I got it on ebay for about $70. Those were the days.

Curious if you can recall the amount of drop on your pitman arm? Same box, I have a 4 inch lift. Thanks!

 

[peesalot]

That ? needs more info. - How is your Saginaw box mounted, flat or tilted ? Are you using a high steer arm on the pass knuckle ?

 

[Vandal FJ]

That ? needs more info. - How is your Saginaw box mounted, flat or tilted ? Are you using a high steer arm on the pass knuckle ?

SUA 4 inch spring lift, flat mount, no high steer. Factory 1977 disc axle.

 

[peesalot]

I have always had a hard time finding pitmans that were the right spline, taper, drop, length for the Saginaw set up. Either the taper end is wrong or the indexing at box is off or the drop is wrong. I suggest a call to Georg or Valley Hybrids to make it a 1 stop shop and get the right part.

 

[pb4ugo]

IIR, Saginaw boxes have 4 master splines, so they can be installed in only 4 ways. I think @cruiseroutfit sells GM pitman arms with various drops and they will taper the the hole to the taper of either FJ60,80, and GM. They also sell shims to adapt the 40 tie rod so it fits an FJ60 hole. With a 4" lift I would suggest to use some sort of drop pitman arm to help with bump steer.

 

[Vandal FJ]

IIR, Saginaw boxes have 4 master splines, so they can be installed in only 4 ways. I think @cruiseroutfit sells GM pitman arms with various drops and they will taper the the hole to the taper of either FJ60,80, and GM. They also sell shims to adapt the 40 tie rod so it fits an FJ60 hole. With a 4" lift I would suggest to use some sort of drop pitman arm to help with bump steer.

Kurt offers like 4 different drops, all the way up to almost 4 inches that fit a saginaw GM box. Gonna mock it up bets I can before I take it to the shop for install. Was curious if anyone had knowledge of a good drop for my application.

 

[pb4ugo]

I no longer run a Saginaw box out frt. When I did I was running a Wagoneer 4" drop arm that fit my GM TRE. I changed my box to a Scout box, which is a Sag box with a longer pitman shaft.

Later I installed a Scout box on my other 40 and used a Wrangler pitman arm and used a Starter bushing as a shim the hole, so the stk 40 tie rod end would fit it properly. IDK, if the wrangler pitman arm was stock or a drop arm. It works perfectly for my Skyjacker 4" lift.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

IIR, Saginaw boxes have 4 master splines, so they can be installed in only 4 ways. I think @cruiseroutfit sells GM pitman arms with various drops and they will taper the the hole to the taper of either FJ60,80, and GM. They also sell shims to adapt the 40 tie rod so it fits an FJ60 hole. With a 4" lift I would suggest to use some sort of drop pitman arm to help with bump steer.

You nailed it! We offer the following:
Part# PSPA0 - 0" Drop & 6-1/2" center hole to center hole length
Part# PSPA1 - 1.5" Drop & 5-1/2" center hole to center hole length
Part# PSPA2 - 2" Drop & 5-1/2" center hole to center hole length
Part# PSPA3 - 3" Drop & 5-1/2" center hole to center hole length
Part# PSPA4 - 3.75" Drop & 5-1/2" center hole to center hole length

They come with the standard GM 1/2T drag-link end taper (fits our PSDLE1 and the AA drag-link), but we can ream them to the 6x/7x/8x or GM 1T taper per customer needs.

 

[Hugh Heifer]

I got mine from Mark's Offroad. I think he sells a straight and a drop (I believe it is 4"). He also had the drag link with GM on one end and 40 on the other. It all went right where it was supposed to.